Alternative to online lodgement
If you choose not to lodge the visa application online, you may be able to lodge a paper application for some visa types at the TLScontact, Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) Nairobi, either in person or via courier. Please note that an additional service fee is payable to TLScontact if you wish to use this service. There will also be a service fee payable for the collection of biometrics at an AVAC, which is a requirement for residents in certain countries. For more information on how to lodge your visa application at the TLScontact AVAC, including relevant forms, please see their website: https://au.tlscontact.com/
The Australian government has special arrangements in:
To lodge applications from other countries See: Other Countries
To Lodge Student Applications See: Student Applications
Ethiopia
From 1 July 2018, the AVAC in Addis Ababa will no longer receive visa applications and will become an Australian Biometric Collection Centre (ABCC). From this date you will no longer be able to lodge a paper visa application in Addis Ababa and you are instead encouraged to lodge your visa application online.
Visa applicants in Ethiopia who are unable to lodge online will be required to courier their applications to the AVAC in Nairobi using the address below:
The Australian Visa Application Centre in Kenya
TLS Contact
Unit 2, 1st Floor
9 West Building
Westlands, Nairobi
Kenya
Please Note: It is strongly recommended that you use a reputable courier to send paper applications to the AVAC in Kenya. The Department of Home Affairs and TLS Contact will take no responsibility for applications sent by regular mail which are not received at the AVAC.
Visa applicants in Ethiopia will be sent a letter requiring them to attend the ABCC in person to provide their biometrics. Applicants lodging their visas online will also be sent a letter informing them that they need to attend the ABCC in person to provide their biometrics.
The Biometrics Collection Centre in Ethiopia is located at the following address:
TLS Contact
Capital Hotel and Spa
Hailegebresilasse Avenue
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Opening hours 08:30am to 3:00 pm. Monday to Friday-Addis Ababa time (Except for Public Holidays)
Call centre hours:Telephone: +27 (0) 12 472 3800.
9:30 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday (Addis Ababa time)
Note: International call charges apply. There is an option to leave contact details and request a return call. The call centre is closed on South African public holidays.
Ghana
From 1 July 2018, the AVAC in Accra will no longer receive visa applications and will become an Australian Biometric Collection Centre (ABCC). From this date you will no longer be able to lodge a paper visa application in Accra and you are instead encouraged to lodge your visa application online.
Visa applicants in Ghana who are unable to lodge online will be required to courier their applications to the AVAC in Nairobi using the address below:
The Australian Visa Application Centre in Kenya
TLS Contact
Unit 2, 1st Floor
9 West Building
Westlands, Nairobi
Kenya
Please Note: It is strongly recommended that you use a reputable courier to send paper applications to the AVAC in Kenya. The Department of Home Affairs and TLS Contact will take no responsibility for applications sent by regular mail which are not received at the AVAC.
Visa applicants in Ghana will be sent a letter requiring them to attend the ABCC in person to provide their biometrics. Applicants lodging their visas online will also be sent a letter informing them that they need to attend the ABCC in person to provide their biometrics.
The Biometrics Collection Centre in Ghana is located at the following address:
TLS Contact
1st Floor Emporium,
Movenpick Ambassador Hotel,
Independence Avenue,
PMB CT 483 Cantonments
Accra
Ghana
Opening hours: 08:30 am to 3:00 pm. Monday to Friday (Except for Public Holidays)
Call centre hours: Telephone: +27 (0) 12 472 3800
08:30 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday (Accra time)
Note: International call charges apply. There is an option to leave contact details and request a return call. The call centre is closed on South African public holidays
Kenya
If you are lodging a paper-based visa application, you will need to visit the Australian Visa Application Centre. You will need to submit your application, pay the visa application fee, service charge and have your biometrics collected. Please note that each person included in the visa application must attend the AVAC in person to have their biometrics collected.
Teleperformance is contracted to operate AVACs in Africa. See: au.tlscontact.com/
The Australian Visa Application Centre in Kenya is located at the following address:
TLS Contact
Unit 2, 1st Floor
9 West Building
Westlands, Nairobi
Kenya
Opening hours: 8:30 am to 3.00 pm. Monday to Friday -Nairobi time(Except for Public Holidays)
Call Centre hours:8:30 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday (Nairobi time).Telephone: +27 (0) 12 472 3800
Note: International call charges apply. There is an option to leave contact details and request a return call. The call centre is closed on South African public holidays.
Uganda
We recommend that applicants in Uganda apply online. If you wish to apply via courier, please see details under Other Countries.
The Australian government has opened an Australian Biometric Collection Centre (ABCC) in Kampala.
All applicants, regardless of nationality, who are in Uganda at the time of making a visa application to enter Australia, will be required to provide their biometrics in person unless otherwise excluded or exempted from doing so under Australian Government policy.
Visa applicants in Uganda who lodge their visa applications online may be sent a letter informing them that they need to attend the ABCC.
Applicants lodging their applications by mail to the Australian High Commission in Kenya, will be sent a letter requiring them to attend the ABCC.
The ABCC will charge a service fee for the collection of biometrics. Please see the Service Delivery Partner (SDP) website below for more details.
The Australian Biometric Collection Centre in Uganda is located at the following address:
TLS Contact
Ground Floor
Block A, Victoria Courts
Old Kira Road, Bukoto
Kampala, Uganda
Website: au.tlscontact.com/
Opening hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (Except for Public Holidays)
Call centre hours :Telephone: +27 (0) 12 472 3800
8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (Kampala time)
Note: International call charges apply. There is an option to leave contact details and request a return call. The call centre is closed on South African public holidays.
Other Countries
If you are lodging your application from a country other than Ethiopia, Ghana or Kenya, you are encouraged to apply online. Please see https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav
You may send your application by courier to:
Australian High Commission
ICIPE House
Riverside Drive (approximately 400 metres from Chiromo Road)
Westlands, Nairobi, KENYA
Passports do not have to be submitted with a visa application. Instead, clear photocopies of the passport photo page and all used pages from the current and any previous passports must be submitted.
The visa fee can be paid with a credit card from Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Diners or JCB. The payment will be charged in Australian dollars. The application form provides a field for the credit card details to be recorded. Please note that you may incur banking and currency conversion fees and you accept the risk associated with currency fluctuations.
An alternative option is for arrangements to be made with a third party in Australia to pay the visa fee at an immigration office in Australia and for you to submit a copy of the receipt with the application. A holding record would subsequently be made until a visa application was made and sent to the Australian High Commission. For more information please visit www.homeaffairs.gov.au
Student Applications
For those applying for student visas, you can courier your application to the service delivery partner, Teleperformance in Johannesburg.
Teleperformance
3rd Floor 24 Central
6 Gwen Lane
Crn of Gwen Lane and Fredman Drive
Sandown
Sandton
Johannesburg
See: au.tlscontact.com/za/jnb/page.php?pid=courier_application
Please visit the Australian High Commission, Pretoria website for more information. See: African Student Hub